Blog study

I'm doing a study on crime fiction/writing blogs and was hoping I could get your feedback on a couple of points.

What do you like best about the blogs you read? What don't you like about them?

What's the one thing you'd like to see on a blog that you don't see right now?

Any feedback you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated. You can either post a comment with your thoughts or email me.

Thanks!

Comments

[patti abbott]

I prefer individual rather than group blogs. I like a consistent voice. I like blogs that vary in content-book reviews, movie reviews, writing questions, observations, politics.
I like blogs that reflect the writer's interests, concerns and are not only reportorial. Hope this helps.

[Deborah]

I like posts that are brief and focused on one subject at a time. A meandering post is a big turn-off, and if it's longer than one screen there'd better be a really good reason for the length.

I also like a variety of content (like Patti said). Even if the main thrust is reviews, for example, it keeps things interesting when there are also occasional rants, jokes, questions, etc to keep things fresh.

[Maxine]

I've subscribed and unsubscribed to many crime fiction blogs over the past couple of years of blogging. The ones that endure are "reader" blogs rather than "author" blogs. The love of the books is what I like.
It's a crime, Euro Crime, Detectives Beyond Borders, Crime Always Pays (a quasi-author blog but very reader-focused), Dave's Fiction Warehouse, International Noir Fiction, Crime Scraps, Material Witness, Crime Fic Dossier (you) and Confessions of an IM are my favourites - the ones I return to again and again because the blogger is passionate and involved - and not "selling" anything.

I'm very happy with my favourite crime fic blogs so am unimaginative enough to say I am not missing anything, though if you were to come up with a "killer app" for crime fiction blogging, I expect I'd be pleased.

[Graham]

One thing I wish someone would start is a blog covering mystery markets. That would be a valuable resource for authors.

I don't have time to keep my various blogs updated already (read: I'm lazy) or I would do it myself.

[Barbara Fister]

Blogs about how to publish or market mysteries don't interest me. Blogs about a writer's own writing and how excited he or she is about an upcoming signing or new cover or whatever don't interest me. (I know you're excited - and that's great, but try to figure out what would interest a reader! Otherwise it's as interesting as one of those navel-gazing public diaries: "I had a good sandwich for lunch today; I noticed the jerk in the office next to mine has hair growing out of his ears; I'm feeling more self-absorbed than usual today, I wonder why?")

Blogs about books, reflections on the world at large from an interesting writer with a unique voice, or blogs about mystery-related topics - those are worth reading. And I like comments - and photos. What is the use of blog without pictures and conversations?

[Dana Kaye]

I think the major turnoff for blogs is when an author is only using it for promotion; not offering any useful information in return. I really enjoy reading blogs about the industry. Since it changes so much, I like it when others can keep me up to date. I also enjoy reading about authors' writing processes.

[Jade Walker]

I like blogs that have unique content -- great writing, useful information, helpful links. Individual blogs ought to have a strong voice; group blogs need many of them. I'm particularly partial to how-to type entries, or Q&As.

[Kathryn Lilley]

I like author's blogs that reflect a bit of the authentic voice and writing style of the writer. I see the blog as a "teaser" that makes me go--yes, this is an interesting voice that I want to hear more of! I'll pick up his/her book next time I'm in a bookstore!

[Bob S]

I think it's up the individual, and like everything in this life, it is a choice.

No one has to listen to what you preach, just as they do not have to listen (or read) what I say.

Bygones, have you heard of them?

[du hoc uc]

I think the major turnoff for blogs is when an author is only using it for promotion..